This blog supplements ETAN's website (etan.org) and listservs. It includes news and comment on justice, human rights, democracy, security, foreign affairs, U.S policy, the environment, and other issues related to the two countries. ETAN supports justice, accountability, human rights and democracy and is non-partisan.

about new government decrees that are used to severely restrict, and in some provinces even ban, the activities of the Ahmadiyya community; the forced closures and vandalism of places of worship belonging to Christian, Hindu, and Ahmadiyya groups in some localities; the growth and political influence of religious extremists; the deepening sectarian divisions in Papua due to human rights abuses perpetuated by the military and police; and the harassment and arrest of individuals considered deviant under Indonesian law. USCIRF policy recommendations include urging the Obama administration to deal with pressing social, political, and economic concerns by supporting government offices, religious groups, and civil society organizations in Indonesia working to promote religious freedom, counter extremism, teach tolerance and human rights, pursue legal reform, and build interfaith alliances.

The commission in its recommendations cites the need for reform of the Indonesian military and the need to deny assistance and visas to "any police or military unit or security agency personnel found to have engaged in violations of human rights." It does not name Kopassus explicitly. It calls for the removal from conflict areas of officers indicted in East Timor. It stresses the police role in counter-terrorism, but highlights that the U.S. trained "counter-terrorism unit Detachment 88 ha[s] exacerbated existing sectarian tensions in Sulawesi. Local religious leaders claim that Detachment 88’s harsh tactics increased sympathy for extremists in Central Sulawesi and attracted religious militants from other regions. For example, in April, 2008 police shot and killed Madi, a sect leader involved in a 2005 clash with police." (page 257)

From the reports recommendations (page 266)

In addition, as part of U.S.-Indonesian counter-terrorism cooperation, the U.S. should ensure that any future ties with the Indonesian military and police should include, as priorities:

reform of the Indonesian military, including transfer to civilian control, training in international human rights standards, technical assistance in military law and tribunals;

transfer or removal from Papua, the Malukus, or Central Sulawesi any security, police, and militia personnel indicted for activities related to serious human rights abuses and war crimes by the UN's Serious Crimes Investigation Unit (SCIU) and the Ad Hoc Human Rights Court for East Timor in Jakarta;

dedicated funds for training Indonesian police in counter-terrorism techniques and protecting human rights in areas of sectarian conflict, including fellowships to the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Bangkok, Thailand and participation in UN Police training programs (UNPOL); and

denial of U.S. assistance, training, or visas for any police or military unit or security agency personnel found to have engaged in violations of human rights.

Timor Archives draws attention to a set of rarely-seen photos taken in December 1975 during Indonesia's invasion of East Timor. The blog says that the 52 images were posted on Facebook in mid-2009 by an East Timorese. There is discussion of the images on the blog here. The complete set of photos is here.

In Timor-Leste, its Labor Union (KSTL) Saturday demanded the government to amend the labor regulation set by United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), saying its minimum wage regulation cannot afford to finance the life of labors.

The demand was conveyed by KSTL spokesperson Carolino Marques at a press conference to commemorate the International Labor Day held in Lesidera.

The labors demanded the government to replace the existing labor regulation with the one drafted by the Timor-Leste government itself.

"We want the government to amend the regulation No. 5/2002 on minimum labor wages set by UNTAET since it is no longer afford to finance our families," Carolino said.

Carolino said that the regulation set minimum labor wage at 85 U.S. dollars per month, an amount that is hardly able to cover the monthly needs of a labor's family.

The KSTL spokesperson said that the government also needs to issue regulation on overtime payment as many companies operating in the country were yet to pay the overtime payment for workers who work more than 8 hours in a day.

The KSTL also demanded the government to open more jobs for the youths, many of whom were still left unemployed.

Responding to the labors' demand, Timor-Leste secretary for labor affairs, Benditu Dos Santos Freitas, said that the government is drafting a labor law that would provide minimum wage of 200 U.S. dollars per month.

The draft law is being discussed in the parliament at the moment, Benditu said. He added that after the draft law is enacted by the parliament, each firm operating in the country will be obliged to abide by the law immediately.

Any company found of violating the law will be fined ranging from 100-1,000 U.S. dollars, depending on the company's size."

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

We are writing to urge you to support the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN). As the Obama administration considers lifting all limits on military assistance to Indonesia, including the deadly Kopassus, we need to keep up the pressure. ETAN's strong and clear voice for justice and accountability is as crucial as ever.

We count on your financial support so we can bring out the facts, keep up the pressure and continue the fight for justice and democracy in East Timor and Indonesia.

Noam Chomsky recently wrote, "I have long admired the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN), a clear, effective, and very much needed voice in support of justice, human rights, and accountability. ETAN is the only U.S. group to focus solely on both East Timor and Indonesia...."

Independent journalist Allan Nairn, speaking on Amy Goodman's Democracy Now! last month described how after the 1991 Santa Cruz massacre which they survived, "a grassroots movement grew up in the United States, including the East Timor Action Network, and we were all able to pressure the US Congress to cut off a lot of the military aid to Indonesia. That was under the dictatorship of General Suharto. And that cutoff had a huge effect within Indonesia."

ETAN won't rest on past victories; we will be working on the following in the coming months:

* providing an alternative perspectives when President Obama makes his delayed visit to Indonesia in June. We are preparing op-eds, fact sheets and other backgrounders. We are working with groups in Indonesia to raise important human rights issues and to oppose U.S. assistance to Indonesia's largely un-reformed military.

* working with groups in Timor-Leste (East Timor) and elsewhere to strengthen international support and expand activism for justice and accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Indonesia's U.S.-backed occupation of Timor.

* analyzing the impact of U.S. aid to Timor-Leste looking at the projects and their impact.

And look for us in late June in Detroit at the US Social Forum. ETAN is planning a workshop and will be tabling. If you are planning to attend, let us know and look for us there.

ETAN remains an important source of information and analysis to journalists, decision-makers and activists. We maintain an active presence online through our website, a blog, Facebook, e-mail lists, and Twitter. We actively monitor ongoing threats to human rights in both countries, applying pressure in defense of activists and others.

You can donate safely through ETAN's website here. Or you can mail your donation. To support ETAN’s political advocacy work, write a check made out to “East Timor Action Network.” For ETAN’s educational efforts, tax-deductible donations of over $50 can be made out to “A.J. Muste Memorial Institute/ETAN.” Please mail your donations to: ETAN, PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873.

Thank you.

A luta continua,

John M. Miller
National Coordinator

P.S. Help put ETAN's finances on a firmer footing. Please consider making a recurring pledge of support via credit card to ETAN. You can choose the amount and frequency of the donation and it is automatically deducted from your credit card..

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About this Blog and ETAN

This blog supplements ETAN's website and the listservs of the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN). The blog includes news and comment on justice, human rights, democracy, security, foreign affairs, U.S policy, the environment, and other issues related to the two countries.

ETAN supports justice, accountability, human rights and democracy in both countries. ETAN is non-partisan; we do not endorse candidates or political parties in any country.

Please keep your comments directly related to East Timor and Indonesia and refrain from abusive language and personal attacks. Email us or use the contact information below.